We are in the last full calendar year of primal Dead. Enjoy this exploration. Fully mature interpretations of their sound. Recordings like this are a treasure.
Their limited musical vocabulary at this point allows us to see many songs develop, in this case the next two nights. After working out the sound issues this night, they are able to more fully express themselves.
Consider the era. We will walk on the moon soon, Woodstock will happen, the Mets will win the World Series... Then Altamont. The Dead had a hand in two of these four events. I won't tell you which two.

As the other guy said, TC on Lovelight sounds really really bad, especialy at the beginning. Always been his fan, but this time he played quite badly.

Going into this show I really had no preconceived notions about it other than it was only a month out from arguably the bands hottest run ever. I also anticipated a good performance due to the fact that this particular evening kicked off a three night run at the famed Avalon. What I did seem to forget however is that there were many, many sub par performances by the band in 1969 – which I think in large part had to do with the evolution of the bands sound. They seemed to be trying new things all the time as well as slowing down in general. On several occasions this show sorta reminded me of a ’68 show, but then seemed to blast right back into full blown psychedelic bezerker mode at the drop of a hat. Classic 1969 right here, warts and all.

We start this evening’s performance with a pretty uninspired Schoolgirl. Pig doesn’t really do too much and Jerry really doesn’t even jam out of it, it kinda just stops. Right away I found that odd. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard a half-ass Schoolgirl opener – apparently now I have. Rag is up next and I loved every minute of it. I’m a sucker for this tune anyways, but I think this one is done extremely well. Jerry works his way in and out of this one nicely - love that little jam out. I also noticed TC doing some really annoying harpsichord type shit that was completely unnecessary. OK, so we finish the second set with Cryptical>Drums>TOO>Cryptical>Death Don’t. Jerry takes this one around the first time and nothing too incredible is going on, however it sounds good. The drums is all of 16 seconds and then we drop into what I think is the most important, or interesting part of the show. TOO fires up and immediately Jerry starts doing his best Dicky Betts impression with the slidepiece. I was completely blown away by this – I mean it really works well. Close you eyes during TOO and you can hear Allman’s thunder in there somewhere. Jerry drops the slidepiece pretty quickly but really takes this little skank to the moon! By the 6 minute mark this is full blown ripshit mode – dig it! Just as soon as I am really feeling this one they back right the hell off and drop right back to the reprise. WTF Jerry? Just gonna totally quit on that shit? Criminal. Anyhow, the transition into Death Don’t is really pretty good and the tune is too, right up to the point where it is cut. Usually cuts don’t bother me, but this one did. I wasn’t ready for it and once again I was totally feelin’ it – and blam. Over. Whaddya gonna do? Still sucks though.

So thoughts on this first set. Well, it had it’s moments for sure, but it seemed like they are distracted or not into it or something. Also I have no idea what is going on with Pig or TC or whoever is manning the keys tonight, because they sound awful. The fills suck and chords are straight up being missed. Weird.

We start our inverted second set with a 23 minute Lovelight, which definitely seemed to drag for the last 7 minutes or so. Badly. Also, again – TC sounds fucking terrible. Why they decided to open with this Ill never know, but maybe they were trying to get some people movin’ or something. All I know is that Lovelight sucks ass as a second set opener. Terrible placement, awful version. They close out the night with a Dark Star>Stephen>11>Feedback combo which was the best and worst part of the show. The Star starts off kinda like a ’68 version, just not quite as fast. I actually really enjoyed this one quite a bit. It starts somewhat drifty but maintains that edge(that Jerry seems to be playing with all night). They slow it down to a crawl pretty damn quick, and keep it all quiet for a few minutes while they all take turns meandering around – and then Jerry busts into the first verse accompanied by the gong – thanks for that Mick. The Gong adds so much to this tune. Anyhow, Jerry starts doing some pretty interesting stuff around the ten minute mark, and that’s when I start getting the feeling that this one is getting kinda trippy, dude. Interesting for sure. At first I wasn’t so fond of this one, but the more I listened to it the more I liked it. Definitely spaces the fuck out and then they bring back to ’68 mode for the last two minutes and final verse. They drift for about 30 seconds and then Jerry eeks out the first few licks of Stephen and it sounds great – until the fucking cowbell. Come on man – the fucking cowbell during Stephen – just wait for 11 man! Sounds awful and super distracting. I don’t get it, at all. I will say all of the sudden TC sounds on top of his game though. This cowbell is fucking killing me. Please stop it Mickey, before I cram that thing where the sun don’t shine. Uhgg…From there we head straight into a very well played Eleven. Another tune I pretty much always enjoy, even if the cowbell is still audible. The weird thing is, it seems to continually pick up pace like they are rushing, and once again, right as they get going Jerry forces them into feedback to straight silence. Again, I don’t get it. I think they were told to stop between the 8 and 9 minute mark of Eleven. Who knows what the hell was actually going on in that place tonight. All I know is that was one strange freakin show.

I think this show had so many distracting moments that it made it difficult to review. Something was going on in the Avalon that night, and I don’t mean drugs or whatever. I mean it sounds to me like they didn’t even want to be there. So many times Jerry up and quit on jams – and so did Billy and Mick both. Phil sounded great and many of their jams got very heavy and involved – like Dark Star. The cowbell from the start of Stephen until the end drove me fucking bananas – and the fact that it was right next to the mic didn’t help the situation one bit. The Lovelight second set opener was total dogshit, and TC sounded horrid all night.

Again, it wasn’t all bad – just not that enjoyable of a listen as a whole. Certain segments were off the hook but the entire package aint that good. HUGE chop during Death Dont and Stephen dont help this one's cause either. Garners 3 stars stricly on the strength of DS and TOO.

Jer's slide on TOO is just 'too' nasty. Whole show is great; this Avalon run is money all around. What are you waiting for?!

just curious, why is this not available for DL as an .shn or .flac ? Is it the poster or the site or the Dead's rules ? Thanks.

I can't leave it with a flawless record. Sorry but the hiss is too bad. The show is good but the sound deteriorates around the drum solo and is garbage by Death Don't. 3 stars to even it out.

[posting in err]

Stands out above other 69 shows. Insane musical growth. The other one must be heard. Jerry aLL OVER THE SLIDE, then he puts it down. at points I hear guitar and I think its jerry, then i realize its weir. Very impressive Bob.

Jev, you are right on the money. Jer on Other- slide is SICK. what a Killer! I cN HEAR EVERY TOUCH OF THE SNARE AND BEYOND........and not much hiss eh?(JUST KIDDIN) lOVE yA ....UNCLE RICH

A crisp, sweet groove on "Schoolgirl" and a wonderfully aggressive "Feedback." "Dark Star" is, ultimately, inspired and different with a psychedelic climax, but only after a long stretch of busyness.

jerry......slide on the other one? sick......dark star ....excellente.....these guys were on a mission from the time they hit the stage here...this may top 3-1-69......themes are the same as always, yet more aggressive and furious......the band was on in 69 babay...quality is nice too....never hurts....what else can you say..it is the DEAD!